November is filled with opportunities to honor military, veteran families
November 3, 2014
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – November is the Month of the Military Family, with events scheduled throughout the nation that offer opportunities for communities to support military, veterans and their families.
Indiana communities are responding to at-risk veterans' needs by staging Stand Down events, helping connect those who have served with the resources they have earned. These events help homeless and at-risk-for-being homeless veterans connect with a wide variety of services, including housing referrals, VA and medical benefit counselors, and access to employment resources. In 2013 more than 57,800 veterans were homeless on any given night, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Since September, Stand Downs have been held across the state in South Bend, the Michiana area, Muncie, Marion, Churubusco and Anderson. In November, these events will be held in Jeffersonville (Nov. 5), Kokomo (Nov. 7), Tippecanoe County (Nov. 8), Terre Haute (Nov. 14) and Fort Wayne (Nov. 21).
Purdue University has a week of military and veteran appreciation events, culminating in Military Appreciation Day on Saturday (Nov. 8) at Ross-Ade Stadium during the Wisconsin-Purdue football game. Attendees can tailgate beforehand, and then cheer on the Boilermakers, all the while honoring the men and women of our armed forces by wearing military-affiliated shirts, hats and gear. Tickets are available to veterans at the discounted price of $20.
One of the events of Military and Veteran Appreciation Week helps celebrate local service members, veterans and families with an 11:45 a.m. luncheon on Tuesday (Nov. 4) at Bruno's in West Lafayette. Rob Hughes, WLFI-TV sports anchor, will emcee a program featuring Major League baseball pitcher Josh Lindblom, local singing star Carli Edging and an area veteran sharing his service and Honor Flight experiences. Those wanting to attend must register online.
Beginning Nov. 10 and running through Nov. 14, the Tippecanoe County Military Resource Network, which is composed of many community organizations, will hold a Military and Veterans Appreciation Week. The week aims to honor our veterans, active duty, National Guardsmen and Reservists who so honorably serve our nation, as well as their families who have endured great sacrifices. In addition, more than 700 organizations throughout Indiana have offered discounts to military-affiliated families for the week and in some cases for the entire year.
"Our military members serve all of us every day. Their families serve as well. Veterans have spent countless hours in service to the nation before transitioning in the civilian world," said MFRI director of external communications Beth Johnson. "We hope you will find a way to join us in some or all of the activities this community has planned. Let’s make this year the year that military-affiliated families truly know what they mean to our communities."
About MFRI
The Military Family Research Institute was founded in 2000 with funding from the Department of Defense. It is the leading university-based organization in the nation that conducts research about, with and for military families. MFRI is part of the Center for Families in Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences.
Writer: Beth Johnson, 703-927-7429, bethjohnson@purdue.edu
Source: The Military Family Research Institute, 765-494-3403, mfri@purdue.edu
Related websites:
Purdue University Boilers 4 Heroes
Note to Journalists: Beth Johnson, MFRI’s director of external relations, will be available for interviews and information. Email bethjohnson@purdue.edu
